What to expect with Virgin Voyages!

In September I embarked on Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady ship in Barcelona ready to set sail on their French Daze & Ibiza Nights itinerary. I was skeptical about if this was the right choice for me and my friend to celebrate our upcoming 30th birthdays and it’s safe to say it absolutely was!

When Virgin launched, they shook up the cruise industry with their no kids allowed rules, party persona and rockstar vibes. Initially I thought it was going to be Club 1830 with an attempt of cruise elements but during my week on board I was proved wrong. On embarkation day I was pleasantly surprised to find a mix of guests on board including friends like us, couples of every age and plenty of solo travelers.

I am hoping in this blog, I can help break some perceptions you might also have of Virgin Voyages and like me, hopefully you too will pleasantly be surprised by the luxury experience they truly will offer you on board.

It’s all about the party!

Only if you want it to be! But there is so much more to Virgin Voyages than the parties. The Happenings Cast (AKA the entertainment team) are there to help you enjoy your cruise so you choose how much you want to get involved in. This really surprised me because I thought it would be in your face and all over the ship – wrong! The pool has a live DJ on most days but if this isn’t your thing then go relax at The Dock instead, which is in a more secluded area with a chilled atmosphere. Want to see the shows? That’s great but you choose where you sit or stand so you can be fully immersed or observe from the sidelines. Ready for bed? The Manor House is open from 10:30pm until the early hours as a nightclub, but it's totally sound proof and subtly located so you can go, or not.

The food is all included so they must keep it basic!

This couldn’t be further from the truth, and the food onboard Virgin Voyages is some of the best I have eaten at sea. And the best bit is – its all included! No specialty dining supplements or restricted menus. Everyone can eat everywhere! My personal favourite was The Wake which is a steak restaurant very aptly named by its location at the back of the ship. Walking in here feels like you have walked into the newest, hottest restaurant in your local city. Another place I loved was Gumbae which is a Korean BBQ style restaurant that I would recommend doing at the start of your cruise as you are on mixed tables and it’s great to get to know your fellow sailors. Even The Galley, which is the buffet on more traditional cruise lines, is packed with beautifully freshly prepared food including sushi, fresh pasta and salads. It just shows they haven’t forgotten the basics in all the noise of trying to be different.

The entertainment is going to be too big, too loud and too much!

I did not know what to expect when it came to entertainment onboard Virgin Voyages and this was probably the best way to be. There really is something for everyone and The Happenings Cast are dripping with talent across their specialist fields. Some of the shows they have onboard have been captured from the likes of Edinburgh Fringe Festival and developed for a life at sea. If you don’t fancy what is on the show schedule that night, there are several venues to choose from for something more up your street including little nooks with live music.

Scarlet Night is a big deal and the whole ship, including the guests, turns red. You will have seen videos of people jumping in the pool but guess what – this is totally optional! You can enjoy the entertainment and show on the pool deck and leave whenever you are ready. Or enjoy it from the upper balcony so you definitely won’t be in the splash zone.

Overall, I wasn’t sure what to expect with Virgin Voyages and I was quietly blown away in the detail. I was surprised by the quality of food, the variety of the shows and the mix of guests on board. I would certainly travel with Virgin again with friends and even as a couple and there is so much going on that I think every voyage could bring something different.

Get in contact with our team to book your next Virgin Voyages sailing!